Reclining chair of the multiple position type



March 5, 1963 A. LORENZ 3,080,192

RECLINING CHAIR OF THE MULTIPLE POSITION TYPE Filed May 10. 1960 IN V EN TOR.

4/1/70 L ORE/V2 BY Mim nite The present invention relates generally to reclining chairs, and in particular to an improved reclining chair of the type including a body-supporting means having a movable seat and a movable back-rest which are ordinated with each other to include at least two distinct phases of chair movement and multiple chair positions.

Of recent times there has been developed multiplemovement reclining chairs which are suitable for accommodating the chair occupant in a semi-reclined or tilted-back sitting attitude and in a fully reclined or complete relaxation attitude. Such multiple-movement chairs may be of the rester type incorporating a unitary backrest and seat wherein there are first and second movement phases, with the chair moving from a sitting posit-ion to an intermediate tilted sitting position during the first movement phase and from the intermediate tilted sitting position to a reclining position in the second movement phase, with no change in the angular relationship between the seat and back-rest during such two movement phases. Such chairs may be of the recliner type incorporating a movable seat and movable back-rest wherein there are also two phases of chair movements, with the chair moving from a sit-ting position to an intermediate tilted sitting position during the first movement phase and from the intermediate tilted sitting position to a reclining position in a second movement phase with an increase in the angular relationship between the seat and backrest during the second movement phase. In the rester and recliner both types of chairs, a leg-rest is mounted to move into a substantially elevated legs-upporting position during the first movement phase, with the leg-rest remaining in an elevated leg-supporting position during the second movement phase.

The intermediate tilted sitting position of such multiple-movement chairs is particularly appropriate for accommodating the chair occupant in a position suitable for television viewing, reading, sewing or the like wherein the occupant is in a sitting attitude with the occupants legs elevated into a position for optimum comfort. During the second movement phase, the chairs of the recliner type incorporating the separately movable seat and backrest which opens up to establish an optimum angular relationship between the various portions of the occupants body, afford greater comfort as compared to the chairs of the rester type wherein the angular relationship between the seat and back-rest is fixed throughout the second movement phase.

Experience indicates that it is simpler and cheaper to construct multiple-movement chairs of the roster type incorporating a rigid seat and back-rest as compared to multiple-movement chairs of the recliner type incorporating a movable seat and a movable back-rest. However, the economy in construction also carry with it a sacrifice in the comfort of the chair occupant during the second movement phase, and particularly in the fully reclined position. There exists a need for a multiple-movement reclining chair which brings about at least a small in crease in the included angle between the seat and backrest during the second movement phase, for example on the order of 5 to to afford more optimum attitude for the chair occupant during the second movement phase, and particularly in the reclining position. Although reclining chairs of the recliner type wherein the desired large increase in the angular relationship between the seat and back-rest is achieved in the second movement States Patent 0 3,080,192 Patented Mar. 5, 1963 phase are most desirable, a compromise between the two chairs would certainly afford greater comfort tor the chair occupant as compared to the rester type if at the same time the advantages of economy and simplicity in chair construction were realized.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new type of multiple-movement reclining chair. Specifically, it is Within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a recliner type of multiple movement chair which provides for somewhat increased angular relationship between the seat and backrest thereof during the second movement phase to establish a more optimum reclining position as compared to a rester type of multiplemovement chair.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features of the present invention there is provided a reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting means including a seat and back-rest adapted to be mounted on the support for inclining and reclining movement respectively, and means mounting the seat and backrest on the support including a carrier member mounted on the support for turning movement about a carrier pivot. Provision is made for establishing a stationary position for the carrier member during a first movement phase. The back-rest is mounted on the carrier member tor reclining movement about a backrest pivot during said first movement phase. The seat is mounted on the back-rest at a seat pivot for inclining movement about the seat pivot during the first and second movement phases of the chair. Sea-t control means are operatively connected to the seat for imparting a first inclination to the seat during the first movement phase and a second inclination to the seat during said second movement phase. Means are provided for blocking the back-rest against movement about the back-rest pivot at the end of said first movement phase such that the back-rest turns about the carrier pivot during the second movement phase. In a typical chair a leg-rest is provided which is mounted for movement into an elevated leg-supporting position in response to movement of said body-supporting means relative to the support during said first movement phase. Preferably, the reclining movement of the back-rest about the back-rest pivot and the inclining movement of the seat during the first movement phase is such as to establish an intermediate tilted sitting position at the end of said first movement phase wherein the seat and back-rest are substantially at the same angular relationship as at the start of said first movement phase. The reclining movement of the back-rest about the carrier pivot and the inclining movement of the seat during the second movement phase is such as to progressively increase the angular relationship between the seat and backrest during movement from the intermediate tilted sitting position to a tully reclining position.

The above brief description as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred but illustrative embodiment according to the invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational View of a reclining chair demonstrating features of the present invention, shown in the upright or sitting position, with parts broken away for the purposes of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chair in the intermediate tilted sitting position; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chair in the fully reclined position.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown a reclining chair demonstrtaing objects and features of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, which includes a support or frame 12 including opposite side walls 14 interconnected by a number of cross braces 16 and supported on depending legs 12. Body-supporting means including a seat 2i} and back-rest 22 are adapted to be mounted on the support 12 for inclining and reclining movement respectfully for a first movement phase from the intermediate tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 2 to a reclining position shown in FIG. 3.

The back-rest 22 is mounted on the support 12 by a carrier member 24 which has a pivotal mount 26 on the support and a pivotal connection 28 to the lower forward end of the back-rest 22. The carrier member 24 is normally disposed in an upwardly and forwardly inclined position from its pivotal mount 26 and rests Within a cut-out 39 provided in the rear cross brace 16. The forward inclined wall 3&1 of the cut-out 30 in the rear cross brace 16 serves to establish a stationary position for the carrier member 24 during the first movement phase, as may be appreciated by comparing the positions of the carrier member in FIGS. 1 and 2. During such first movement phase, the pivotal connection 23 between the carrier member 24 and the back-rest 22 serves as a back-rest pivot about which the back-rest 22 is reclined. The seat 26 in turn rest on the adjacent cross brace and has rigidly affixed thereto a rearwardly directed hanger arm 32 which has a pivotal conection 34 to the back-rest 22 at a point spaced above and to the rear of the pivotal connection 28. The pivotal connection 3 serves as a seat pivot, while the portion of the back-rest 22 between the pivotal connections 28, 34, serves as a rear seat guiding means during the first movement phase.

Front seat control or guiding means are operatively connected to the seat for imparting a first inclination to the seat during the first movement phase and a second inclination to the seat during the second movement phase. In this illustrative form of the invention, the seat control or guiding means includes a cam follower or roller 36 which is journalled on a bracket 38 fixed to the seat 29 and which rides along a cam track or rail 40 formed on a plate 4-2 fixed to the adjacent side of the chair frame 12. The cam track 40 is provided with a first cam section 41in along which the roller 36 travels during the first movement phase, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 1 and 2, and a second cam section 4% of a different inclination along which the roller 36 travels during the second movement phase, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 2 and 3. The cam track 4t! terminates at its lower end in an upstanding stop 44 against which the roller 36 bears in a sitting position of the chair and at its upper end with a further stop 46 against which the roller bears in the reclining position of the chair as shown in FIG. 3. The inclination of the cam section Mia is such that during the first movement phase, the cam and follower (serving as a front seat guiding means) cooperates with the link intermediate the pivotal connections 28, (serving as a rear seat guiding means) to maintain a substantially fixed angular relationship between the seat 210 and back-rest 24 (see FIG. 2) and yet impart the desired inclination to the seat 20. The inclination of the cam section 49b which cooperates with the roller 36 to serve as the front seat guiding means during the second movement phase is selected such that there is a second inclination imparted to the seat during such second movement phase which, in conjunction with the inclining movement of the back-rest 22 about the pivotal mount 26 serving as a back-rest pivot, will roduce the desired increase .in the angular relationship between the seat 2t? and baek-rest 22, as may be apback-rest 22 and carrier member 24 intermediate the pivotal mount 26 and the seat pivot 34 will serve as the rear seat guiding means.

Provision is made for blocking the back-rest 22 against the movement about the pivotal connection 28 serving as a back-rest pivot atthe end of the first movement phase and when the chair arrives at the intermediate tilted sitting position of FIG. 2 such that the back-rest will turn about the carrier pivot or mount 26 during the second movement phase. In this illustrative embodiment, the blocking means is in the form of blocking member 48 which is fixed to the carrier member 24 beneath the lower end of the back-rest 22. The blocking member 48 is of a configuration to engage the lower end of the back-rest 22 after the back-rest reciines rearwardly about the pivotal connection 28 and at such time as the back-rest arrives in its reclined position corresponding to the intermediate tilted sitting position for the chair as shown in FIG. 2. Thereafter, for all intents and purposes, the back-rest 22 becomes a unitary assembly with the carrier member 24 such that the carrier pivot or mount 26 serves as the back-rest pivot during the second movement phase, with the rearward portion of the seat being guided by a movable link provided intermediate the carrier pivot 25 and the seat pivot 34.

Provision is made for blocking the reclining movement of the back-rest 22 about the carrier pivot 26 at the end of the second movement phase. In this illustrative form of the invention, a blocking member or stop 59 is fixed to the back-rest 22 in position to engage the rear cross brace 16 of the chair frame when the back-rest 22 arrives at its reclined position corresponding to the fully reclined position for the chair as shown in FIG. 3. This blocking action may be supplemented or replaced by the carrier member 24 contacting the rear surface 3% of the cut-out 30 in the rear cross brace 16 as seen in FIG. 3.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat is a legrest 52 which is mounted for movement from a stored position, as shown in FIG. 1 to successive elevated legsupported positions, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this illustrative form of the invention, the leg-rest 52 is mounted by a hanger arm 54 which has a pivotal conection or mount 56 on the seat and one or more rigid connections 58 to the leg-rest. It will be appreciated however, that in lieu of the hanger arm 54 for mounting the leg-rest 52, it is within the contemplation of the invention to employ various types of leg-rest mounting linkages as are generally known in the art. However, since the invention herein does not reside in the details of the mounting for the leg-rest and/or the ac,- tuation thereof, description of other generally known legrest mounting linkages will be dispensed with.

In this illustrative form of the invention the leg-rest 52 is moved from the retracted or stored position shown in FIG. 1 to the elevated leg-supporting positions shown in FIG. 2 in response to movement of the body-supporting means relative to the support 12 during the first movement phase through the provision of an actuating lever 66 which has a pivotal and slidable mount 62 intermediate its end on the support. In the illustrative construction, the actuating lever 6% carries a pin e2 which is confined within an inclined slot 64 formed in the plate or fixture d2. Normally the pin 62 is disposed at the lower end of the inclined slot 64 serving as a bearing and during the first movement phase mounts the lever 62 for simple turning movement about the pin 62 serving as a stationary pivot. The upwardly directed short lever arm of the actuating lever 60 has a pivotal connection 66 to the seat 22 while the downwardly directed longer arm thereof is coupled to the hanger 54 for the leg-rest by a connecting link 68 which has a pivotal connection 79 at its rearward end to the lever 60 and a pivotal connection 72 at its forward end to the hanger arm 54. During the second movement phase, the pin 62 translates upwardly and rearwardly along the slot 64 through a lost motion travel such that the leg-rest 52 is maintained in the requisite elevated leg-supporting position in relation to the seat 22, it being appreciated that the over elevation of the leg-rest beyond the illustrated positions would bring the leg-rest into a relationship relative to the seat such that it would not comfortably support the legs of the chair occupant.

In order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to a typical sequence of operations:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair and leans against the back-rest 22 there will be a tendency for the back-rest to turn about the pivotal connection 28 serving as a back-rest pivot and to recline through a relatively small angular traverse. In this connection, it is to be noted that the location of the pivotal connection 28 forwardly of the pivotal mount 26 due to th forward inclination of the carrier member 24 precludes the tendency of the carrier member to turn around the carrier pivot 26 during the first movement phase until such time as the back-rest 22 is blocked against the stop 48 on the carrier member 24. Alternatively or additionally, sequencing of the mechanisms of the chair may be achieved by the sequencing means disclosed in my U.S. Patent No. 3,012,816 of December 12, 1961, entitled Reclining Chairs. During such first movement phase, the rearward portion of the seat 20 is guided by the portion of the back-rest intermediate the pivotal connections 28, 34 serving as the rear seat guiding link, while the forward portion of the seat is guided by the follower roller 36 traversing the first cam section 40a of the cam track 40 which is of an appropriate inclination in conjunction with the rear seat guiding means to maintain the requisite angular relationship between the seat 20 and the back-rest 22. During such first phase of movement, the pivotal connection 66 to the actuating lever 60 turns rearwardly about the pin 62 journalled at the lower end of the slot 64 such as to impart forwardly directed thrust to the connecting link 68 thereby bring ing the leg-rest 52 to an elevated leg-supporting position, as shown in FIG. 2. When the lower portion of the back-rest 22 engages the stop 48 on the carrier member 24, the end of the first movement phase is established, with the follower roller 36 being disposed at the junction between the sections 46a, 40b of the cam track 40.

Continued pressure against the back-rest by the chair occupant when in the intermediate tilted sitting position of FIG. 2 will cause the back-rest 22 to turn about the carrier pivot 26 serving as a back-rest pivot to initiate the second phase of the chair movement and the follower roller 36 will traverse'the differently inclined track section 40b. During such second movement phase, the guiding action on the seat and back-rest is such as to somewhat open up the angular relationship between the seat and back-rest 22, as may be appareciated by pro gressively comparing the showings of FIGS. 2 and 3. During such second movement phase, the pin 62 will translate upwardly along the slot 64 such that the legrest 52 moves upwardly with the seat 20 and maintains the desired relationship thereto throughout such second movement phase. It will be appreciated that during the first movement phase, the pin 62, which is confied at the lower end of the slot 64 and is operatively connected to the seat at 66, serves as a sequencing mean which constrains the seat from lifting off of the cross brace 16 which serves as a support for the rearward portion of the seat 20. When the roller 36 comes to the junction of the cam track sections 40a, 40b in the intermediate tilted sitting position of FIG. 2, the pin 62 translates upwardly along the slot 64, and such translation permits the seat to be lifted from the cross brace during the second movement phase, as may be appreciated by progressively comparing FIGS. 2 and 3. The fully reclined position is established when the stop 50 abuts the rear cross brace and/ or when the carrier member 24 engages the rear wall 30b of the cut-out 36 in the rear cross brace 16. When the chair occupant wishes to restore the chair from the reclining position to the intermediate tilted position or to the upright position, the occupant merely leans forward and causes the chair to move through the reverse sequence of operations.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

What I claim is:

l. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting means including a seat and back-rest adapted to be mounted on said support for inclining and reclining movement respectively, and means mounting said seat and back-rest on said support including a carrier member, means operatively connected to and mounting said carrier member on said support for turning movement about a carrier pivot, means establishing a stationary position for said carrier member during a first movement phase, means mounting said back-rest on said carrier member for reclining movement about a back-rest pivot during said first movement phase, means mounting said seat on said back-rest at a seat pivot for inclining movement about said seat pivot during said first movement phase and during a second movement phase, seat control means operatively connected to said seat and said support for imparting a first inclination to said seat during said first movement phase and a second inclination to said seat during said second movement phase, and means for blocking said back-rest against movement about said back-rest pivot at the end of said first movement phase such that said back-rest turns over said carrier pivot during said second movement phase.

2. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting means including a seat and back-rest adapted to be mounted on said support for inclining and reclining movement respectively, and means mounting said seat and back-rest on said support including a carrier member, means operatively connected to and mounting said carrier member on said support for turning movement about a carrier pivot, means establishing a stationary position for said carrier member during a first movement phase, means mounting said back-rest on said carrier member for reclining movement about a back-rest pivot during said first movement phase, means mounting said seat on said back-rest at a seat pivot for inclining movement about said seat pivot during said first movement phase and during a second movement phase, seat control means operatively connected to said seat and said support for imparting a first inclination to said seat during said first movement phase and a second inclination to said seat during said second movement phase, mean for blocking said back-rest against movement about said back-rest pivot at the end of said first movement phase such that said back-rest turns about said carrier pivot during said second movement phase, a leg-rest, means mounting said leg-rest for movement into an elevated leg-supporting position, and means operable in response to movement of said body-supporting means relative to said support during said first movement phase for moving said leg-rest to said elevated leg-supporting position, the reclining movement of said back-rest about said back-rest pivot and the inclining movement of said seat during said first movement phase being such as to establish an intermediate tilted sitting position at the end of said first movement phase wherein said seat and back-rest are substantially at the same angular relationship as at the start of said first movement phase, the reclining movement of said backrest about said carrier pivot and the inclining movement of said seat during said second movement phase being such as to progressively increase the angular relationship between said seat and back-rest during movement from said intermediate tilted sitting position to a fully reclining position.

3. In a reclining chair, a support, body-supporting means including a seat and a back-rest, means mounting said back-rest on said support forreclining movement about first and second back-rest pivots during first and second movement phases, said first back-rest pivot being spaced from and above said second back-rest pivot, means mounting said seat on said back-rest for inclining movement about a seat pivot spaced above said first and second back-rest pivots, the portion of said back-rest intermediate said first back-rest pivot and said seat pivot serving as a first rear guide means during said first movement phase and the portion of said back-rest intermediate said second back-rest pivot and said seat pivot serving as a second rear guide means during said second movement phase, front guide means operatively connected to said seat and cooperating with said first rear guide means for imparting a first inclination to said seat during said first movement phase and cooperating with said second rear guide means for imparting a second inclination to said seat during said second movement phase, a leg-rest, means mounting said leg-rest for movement from a retracted position to an elevated leg-supporting position, and means operable in response to movement of said body-supporting means relative to said support during said first movement phase to move said leg-rest to said elevated legsupporting postion.

4. In a reclining chair, a support, body-supporting means including a seat and a back-rest, means including a mounting member pivotally connected to said back-rest and said support and mounting said back-rest on said support for reclining movement about first and second backrest pivots during first and second movement phases, said first back-rest pivot being spaced from and above said second back-rest pivot, means mounting said seat on said back-rest for inclining movement about a seat pivot spaced above said first and second back-rest pivots, the portion of said back-rest intermediate said first back-rest pivot and said seat pivot serving as a first rear guide means during said first movement phase and the portion of said back-rest intermediate said second back-rest pivot and said seat pivot serving as a second rear guide means during said second movement phase, front guide means operatively connected to said seat and cooperating with said first rear guide means for imparting a first inclination to said seat during said first movement phase and cooperating with said second rear guide means for imparting a second inclination to said seat during'said second movement phase, said first back-rest pivot'being arranged forwardly of said second back-rest pivot such that said backrest turns about said first back-rest pivot during said first movement phase, first means for blocking turning movement about said first back-rest pivot at the end of said first movement phase such that said back-rest turns about said second back-rest pivot during said second movement phase, and second means for blocking turning movement about said second back-rest pivot at the end of said second movementphase.

5. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting means including a seat and a back-rest, means including amounting member pivotally connected to said back-rest and said support and mounting said back-rest on said support for reclining movement about first and second back-rest pivots during first and second movement phases, said first back-rest pivot being spaced from and above said second back-rest pivot, means mounting said seat on said back-rest for inclining movement about a seat pivot spaced above said first and second backrest pivots, the portion of said back-rest intermediate said first back-rest pivot and said seat pivot serving as a first rear guide means during said first movement phase and the portion of said back-rest intermediate said second back-rest pivot and said seat pivot serving as a second rear guide means during said second movement phase, front guide means operatively connected to said seat and cooperating with said first rear guide means for imparting a first inclination to said seat during said first movement phase and cooperating with said second rear guide means for imparting a second inclination to said seat during said second movement phase, said first back-rest pivot being arranged forwardly of said second back-rest pivot such that said said back-rest turns about said first back-rest pivot during said first movement phase, first means for blocking turning movement about said first back-rest pivot at the end' of said first movement phase such that said back-rest turns about said second back-rest pivot during said second movement phase, second means for blocking turning movement about said second back-rest pivot at the end of said second movement phase, a leg-rest, means mounting said leg-rest for movement from a retracted position to an elevated leg-supporting position, and means operable in response to movement of said body-supporting means relative to said support during said first movement phase to move said leg-rest to said elevated leg-supporting position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,615,497 Luckhardt Oct. 28, 1952 2,827,109 Lorenz Mar. 18, 1958 2,891,600 Schliephacke June 23, 1959 2,918,109 Schliephacke Dec. 22, 1959 2,940,509 Fletcher June 14, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,187,353 France Mar. 2, 1958 792,585 Great Britain Apr. 2, 1958 

1. A RECLINING CHAIR COMPRISING A SUPPORT, BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS INCLUDING A SEAT AND BACK-REST ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR INCLINING AND RECLINING MOVEMENT RESPECTIVELY, AND MEANS MOUNTING SAID SEAT AND BACK-REST ON SAID SUPPORT INCLUDING A CARRIER MEMBER, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO AND MOUNTING SAID CARRIER MEMBER ON SAID SUPPORT FOR TURNING MOVEMENT ABOUT A CARRIER PIVOT, MEANS ESTABLISHING A STATIONARY POSITION FOR SAID CARRIER MEMBER DURING A FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE, MEANS MOUNTING SAID BACK-REST ON SAID CARRIER MEMBER FOR RECLINING MOVEMENT ABOUT A BACK-REST PIVOT DURING SAID FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE, MEANS MOUNTING SAID SEAT ON SAID BACK-REST AT A SEAT PIVOT FOR INCLINING MOVEMENT ABOUT SAID SEAT PIVOT DURING SAID FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE AND DURING A SECOND MOVEMENT PHASE, SEAT CONTROL MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID SEAT AND SAID SUPPORT FOR IMPARTING A FIRST INCLINATION TO SAID SEAT DURING SAID FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE AND A SECOND INCLINATION TO SAID SEAT DURING SAID SECOND MOVEMENT PHASE, AND MEANS FOR BLOCKING SAID BACK-REST AGAINST MOVEMENT ABOUT SAID BACK-REST PIVOT AT THE END OF SAID FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE SUCH THAT SAID BACK-REST TURNS OVER SAID CARRIER PIVOT DURING SAID SECOND MOVEMENT PHASE. 